Impact of employee satisfaction, work flexibility and organisational support on employee productivity in a hybrid work model: a post-pandemic study among IT professionals in Kerala

Purpose The hybrid work model, which combines remote and in-office work, has gained significant relevance in today's professional landscape. Key factors such as employee satisfaction, organisational support and job flexibility play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of this work mode. This study seeks to examine the influence of these factors on employee productivity within the context of a hybrid work model, thereby addressing the existing gap in understanding their impacts on productivity. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the study's objectives, the researchers developed a conceptual model and formulated three hypotheses for statistical testing. Data was collected using purposive sampling from 263 IT professionals in Kerala with experience in the hybrid work model. The analysis employed structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate the significance of multiple relationships and test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The SEM results showed that employee satisfaction, organisational support and work flexibility significantly impact employee productivity in a hybrid work model. Organisational support emerges as the highest influencer of employee productivity, while work flexibility is the second influencer. The results indicate that when workers feel valued and empowered with flexible schedules and strong backing from their organisation, they are likely to be more productive. Originality/value This study contributes to the theoretical advancement of the job demands–resources (JD-R) model by empirically examining the relative impact of organisational support, work flexibility and employee satisfaction on productivity in hybrid work settings, particularly within the Indian IT sector. For practitioners, the findings offer actionable guidance for optimising resource allocation and policy design. By prioritising robust organisational support, enabling flexible work arrangements and fostering employee well-being, organisations can enhance engagement, efficiency and overall productivity.